James Harden’s 4 best seasons
Table of Contents
James Harden is a paradox, a riddle of the hardwood, and a man whose beard might hold as many secrets as his multi-faceted basketball game. As an NBA analyst, I've spent countless hours poring over game footage, mulling over stats, and sinking into the sinkhole of Twitter debates. In all my years of watching the game, very few players have sparked as much debate, fandom, and often intense scrutiny as the Beard himself. But where does the truth lie? What are the peaks of Harden's fascinating career?
Today, we're going on a deep dive into the heart of Harden's hardwood journey. We'll scale the summits and traverse the valleys, bringing into focus the top five seasons of his illustrious career. Keep your calculators and notepads handy, because the Beard’s game is a stat sheet stuffer's dream come true.
1. The 2018-19 Season: The Alpha Beard
In 2018-19, Harden was like the lead guitarist who just discovered a new pedal effect. He had always been able to play a sweet tune, but this season, he went absolutely Hendrix on the league. Averaging a staggering 36.1 points per game, he metamorphosed into a veritable offensive juggernaut, a one-man hurricane blowing away defenses with his scoring prowess. His 3P% was .368, and his FT% was a staggering .879, but it was the sheer audacity, the relentless, unstoppable barrage of scoring that left us in awe. It felt like watching Picasso paint Guernica, or perhaps more aptly, witnessing Dylan pen 'Like a Rolling Stone.' This was Harden at his most audacious, inventive, and breathtaking. It was basketball artistry with a hard-rock edge, and it easily tops my list.
2. The 2016-17 Season: The Maestro Emerges
In the 2016-17 season, Harden was less a baller and more a composer. It was like watching Mozart at the height of his powers, every move, every dribble, every look away pass a note in his symphony. Not only did he average an impressive 29.1 points per game, but he also led the league with 11.2 assists. This was Harden as a complete offensive package, blending scoring and playmaking to a degree seldom seen in the NBA. It was like he had read the entire book of NBA offensive play, absorbed every lesson, and then added a few chapters of his own. The Beard was not just playing the game; he was shaping it to his will, redefining what we thought was possible. This is Harden at his most cerebral and is the second peak in his career mountain range.
3. The 2019-20 Season: The Beard’s Tour de Force
For the 2019-20 season, Harden was in his 'Godfather Part II' phase. Averaging 34.3 points per game, Harden was once again the league's lead scorer, pouring in buckets like a mad scientist on a mission. It was relentless, clinical, and at times, it seemed Harden was toying with the opposition. His 3P% was .355, and he also averaged a fantastic 7.5 assists per game. And let's not forget, the Beard also averaged 1.8 steals per game, serving a reminder that his game has layers that extend beyond offense. This was vintage vino Harden, a master craftsman at the height of his powers, delivering a season-long masterclass.
4. 2012-13: The Beginning of the Beard in Houston
Taking a step back into 2012-13, we find a fresh-faced Harden sporting his newfound signature beard and having just been traded to the Houston Rockets. This was Harden's version of Tom Hanks in "Cast Away" - stranded on a new team, forced to fend for himself, with only his basketball Wilson (aka his beard) for company. This was the year when he ascended from Sixth Man of the Year into one of the game's elite. He was handed the keys to a Rockets team that needed an offensive mastermind, and he sure didn't disappoint.
Jumping from an average of 16.8 points with the Thunder in the previous season to a whopping 25.9 with the Rockets, it was like going from being a roadie to the lead singer in a band. His stat line read as 25.9 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game, proving that he was not only capable of being a focal point in offense but also a playmaker and a decent rebounder for a guard. His 38.3 minutes per game were just a bit below the league leader and showed his durability and importance to the Rockets. Just like Robert Downey Jr. went from a supporting actor in Ally McBeal to becoming Iron Man in the Marvel Universe, Harden morphed into a superstar. Yet, as good as he was, this is only the fourth best season in his career.
